Alarm System for Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

An alarm system for refrigerator includes a sensor, a display, an alarm device, and a controller. The sensor is provided in the refrigerator for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber. The display is provided in the refrigerator for displaying operational information of the refrigerator, and the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor. The alarm device is for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator detected by the sensor and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device. The controller is provided in the refrigerator for controlling operation of the refrigerator, the sensor, the display, and the alarm device. The alarm device is controlled and operated by the controller in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,506 for “Alarm System for Refrigerator” filed on Apr. 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refrigerator alarm system.

Refrigerators are widely used in the modern society, such that it is almost impossible to think about a kitchen without one of those.

Since it is a complicated system with many parts, a refrigerator provides a special means for informing a user of its problems. The most important problem needed to be handled as soon as possible is a problem in its main function; cooling.

Problems may occur anytime, but they must be dealt with whenever necessary.

Accordingly, a need for an alarm system for refrigerator has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide an alarm system for refrigerator.

An aspect of the invention provides an alarm system for refrigerator.

The alarm system comprises a sensor, a display, an alarm device, and a controller.

The sensor is provided in the refrigerator for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber of the refrigerator.

The display is provided in the refrigerator for displaying operational information of the refrigerator, and the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor.

The alarm device is for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator detected by the sensor and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device.

The controller is provided in the refrigerator for controlling operation of the refrigerator, the sensor, the display, and the alarm device.

The alarm device is controlled and operated by the controller in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm.

At least one of the alarming situations is determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber is off from a predetermined temperature range while a compressor of the refrigerator is in operation.

The predetermined temperature range and the predetermined time period may be input to the alarm device through the controller.

The predetermined temperature range, the predetermined time period, and the temperature in the cooling chamber may be displayed in the display.

The alarm issued by the alarm device may include audible, visible, or audible and visible signals lasting for a predetermined controllable alarming time period.

The alarm device may comprise a buzzer. Alternatively, the alarm device may comprise a warning lamp for emitting a constant or blinking light.

The alarm system may further comprise an silencing means for cutting off the issued alarm, and the silencing means comprises one of temperature-setting buttons provided in the controller.

The alarm device may be detachable from the controller.

The controller may comprise a computer program for controlling the alarm device and the display.

At least one of the alarming situations may be determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber is off from a predetermined temperature range, and the temperature may be detected by the sensor in a predetermined time period after a specific operation of the refrigerator, and the specific operation may include changing of the predetermined temperature range, opening and shutting of door of the refrigerator, and turning on the refrigerator.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the alarm system allows the user to be notified of the problems in the refrigerator; and (2) the alarm system helps the refrigerator to optimize the operations in several situations.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an alarm system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,506 is incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if fully set forth herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic block diagrams for an alarm system according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagrams for an alarm system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

An aspect of the invention provides an alarm system 100 for refrigerator 90.

The alarm system 100 comprises a sensor 10, a display 20, an alarm device 30, and a controller 40.

The sensor 10 is provided in the refrigerator 90 for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber 92 of the refrigerator 90.

The display 20 is provided in the refrigerator 20 for displaying operational information of the refrigerator 90, and the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor 10.

The alarm device 30 is for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator 90 detected by the sensor 10 and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device 30.

The controller 40 is provided in the refrigerator 90 for controlling operation of the refrigerator 90, the sensor 10, the display 20, and the alarm device 30.

The alarm device 30 is controlled and operated by the controller 40 in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm.

At least one of the alarming situations is determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber 92 is off from a predetermined temperature range while the compressor of the refrigerator 90 is in operation.

At least one of the alarming situations may be determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber 92 is off from a predetermined temperature range.

The temperature may be detected by the sensor 10 in a predetermined time period after a specific operation of the refrigerator 90.

The predetermined temperature range may be from about 33 degrees in Fahrenheit to about 40 degrees in Fahrenheit. The predetermined time period may be from about one hour to about two hours.

The predetermined temperature range and the predetermined time period may be input to the alarm device 30 through the controller 40.

The predetermined temperature range, the predetermined time period, and the temperature in the cooling chamber 92 may be displayed in the display 20.

The alarm issued by the alarm device 30 may include audible, visible, or audible and visible signals lasting for a predetermined controllable alarming time period.

The alarm device 30 may comprise a buzzer. Alternatively, the alarm device 30 may comprise a warning lamp for emitting a constant or blinking light.

The alarm system 100 may further comprise an silencing means 50 for cutting off the issued alarm as shown in FIG. 3. In certain embodiments, the silencing means 50 or additional silencing means 50′ may be connected directly to the display 20 as shown in FIG. 2.

In other embodiments, the silencing means 50, 50′ comprises one of temperature-setting buttons 26 provided in the controller 40 through the display 20.

The alarm device 30 may be detachable from the controller 40.

The controller 40 may comprise a computer program for controlling the alarm device 30 and the display 20.

At least one of the alarming situations may be determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber 92 is off from a predetermined temperature range, and the temperature may be detected by the sensor 10 in a predetermined time period after a specific operation of the refrigerator 90, and the specific operation may include changing of the predetermined temperature range, opening and shutting of door of the refrigerator 90, and turning on the refrigerator 90.

The alarm system 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the alarm device 30 and a control program in the controller 40. The other elements including even the controller 40 itself may be provided in a regular refrigerator. The control program in the controller 40 may be reprogrammed to accommodate the newly added alarm device 30. The control program may process the information from the sensor 10 and control the alarm device 30 and the display 20.

In certain embodiments, the alarm system 100 according to still another embodiment of the present invention may include the alarm device 30, the sensor 10, and a control program in the controller 40. That is, some of regular refrigerators may not have a sensor for providing necessary information to the alarm system 100, or may have a sensor that is not appropriate to be used to work properly with the alarm system 100 according to the invention.

Using the alarm system 100, the user may be warned of the possible malfunctions of the refrigerator 90, and have a chance to respond to or handle the emergency situations. Since the cooling chamber 92 maintained in an appropriate temperature range is very important for the main function of the refrigerator, and since there may be many kinds of emergency situations, the user had better determine what the emergency are and be informed unmistakably of them in time, which is enabled by the alarm system 100 of the present invention.

The display 20 may further include more buttons (not shown) necessary for updating the control program or setting the parameters for the controller 40.

The display 20 may comprise a display area 22, a plurality of LEDs 24 for display alpha-numerical letters, and the temperature-setting buttons 26.

For example, the display 20 may include graphics for showing the temperature range or other operations of the refrigerator 90 such as defrost, fan, door, manual defrost, etc.

In other certain embodiments, the display 20 may function as an input-out device for the controller 40. In such cases, the display 20 may include touch-screen type input device (not shown), too.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An alarm system for refrigerator or freezer comprising: a sensor provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber of the refrigerator or the freezer; a display provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for displaying operational information of the refrigerator or the freezer, wherein the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor; an alarm device for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator or the freezer detected by the sensor and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device; and a controller provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for controlling operation of the refrigerator or the freezer, the sensor, the display, and the alarm device, wherein the alarm device is controlled and operated by the controller in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm, wherein at least one of the alarming situations is determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber is not lowered to or does not fall into a predetermined temperature range even though a compressor of the refrigerator is in operation.
 2. 4. The alarm system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined temperature range is from about 33 degrees in Fahrenheit to about 40 degrees in Fahrenheit for the refrigerator.
 5. The alarm system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined time period is from about one hour to about two hours.
 6. The alarm system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined temperature range and the predetermined time period are input to the alarm device through the controller.
 7. The alarm system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined temperature range, the predetermined time period, and the temperature in the cooling chamber are displayed in the display.
 8. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the alarm issued by the alarm device includes audible, visible, or audible and visible signals lasting for a predetermined controllable alarming time period.
 9. The alarm system of claim 8, wherein the alarm device comprises a buzzer.
 10. The alarm system of claim 8, wherein the alarm device comprises a warning lamp for emitting a constant or blinking light.
 11. The alarm system of claim 1, further comprising an silencing means for cutting off the issued alarm, wherein the silencing means comprises one of temperature-setting buttons provided in the controller.
 12. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the alarm device is detachable from the controller.
 13. The alarm system of claim 12, wherein the controller comprises a computer program for controlling the alarm device and the display.
 14. The alarm system of claim 13, wherein the temperature is detected by the sensor in a predetermined time period after a specific operation of the refrigerator or the freezer, and wherein the specific operation includes changing of the predetermined temperature range, opening and shutting of door of the refrigerator or the freezer, and turning on the refrigerator or the freezer. 